Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred over the weekend near Kentwood. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Matthew Mahler of Vacherie and a friend were riding four-wheelers in a drainage ditch along Louisiana Highway 10 when Mahler had an accident and was ejected from his vehicle into the roadway….

cut 06 (09) “kept going”

Mahler was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Marchand says they are searching for a small dark colored sedan, possibly four-door.

Governor Bobby Jindal is joining State Police Col Mike Edmonson on a trip to the Mexican border for a security briefing by the Texas Department of Public Safety. They will be discussing issues that affect Louisiana residents including security issues. Col Edmonson says illegal drugs, illegal weapons and illegal immigrants all could negatively impact the people of the state.

The new school year is coming and the Department of Health and Hospitals is reminding parents to be sure your child is up-to-date on vaccinations. State immunologist Dr. Frank Welch says vaccines have proven safe and effective in preventing illness and death from many infectious diseases…

cut 9 (04) “within the classroom”

Welch says every child should be protected before heading to the classroom.

In a recently released ranking of the “50 Great Affordable College Towns in the US”, Monroe comes in at number 33 in the nation. Monroe is the only city in Louisiana to be ranked. The list was compiled based on the cost of living index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research. ULM President Nick Bruno says in these days of rising tuition costs, students consider things like cost of food, housing, utilities, and transportation when choosing where they want to attend college…

cut 14 (07) “on that list”

Bruno says this is great national exposure for ULM.